Stuck at home? Want to listen to great rock and roll music from musicians who lived the rock and roll life? Try these live albums
Photo Credits: HITLIST_2
Sting – Bring On The Night
When Sting left The Police he sought out a separate path of musical ideas, and looked back to his first love, jazz. When taking to the studio to record what would be Dream of the Blue Turtles, Sting put together a band of killer jazz players that featured Omar Hakim, Kenny Kirkland, Daryl Jones and Branford Marsalis. Sting had the sessions filmed and released as the documentary Bring on the Night. Over the course of the record, Sting band mates work their way through obscure and classic Police tracks and Blue Turtles material. On this collection Sting helped to evolve a newer version of the jazz/pop/rock fusion. It still doesn't stand-alone as an essential jazz or pop record, but makes a solid stance for a crossover record.
Pink Floyd – PULSE
This two-CD live set, recorded in Europe and put together from 20 shows, also features The Dark Side of the Moon performed in its entirety. Dark Side's chief accomplishment was its studio perfection. Performed live, its textures disperse into the arena air. The crowd vibrations only translate into loud, annoying applause throughout the tracks. The audience takes over lead vocal chores for "Wish You Were Here" and remains positively raving for the other hits. Through the newer material the audience is slightly more sedate. Only "A Great Day for Freedom," from The Division Bell, improves upon its studio release — and only because its anthemic intent is fully realized.
Queen – Live at Wembley Stadium
In 1986 Queen was on top of the world. Their performance at Wembley would go down in music history as one of the most electric concerts ever. Queen opens up the show with the near-heavy-metal roar of "One Vision," later heads towards the David Bowie collaboration "Under Pressure," and their very first hit, "Seven Seas of Rhye, before toning the music down into the beautiful “Who Wants To Live Forever?”. Later in the concert Freddie unleashes the raw power of Queen during “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You” etc. A must listen for any Queen fan, although some may actually prefer Live Killers from 1979 to this live concert.
Dire Straits – Alchemy: Dire Straits Live
This double live CD surfaced in 1984 after the release of the studio masterpiece Love Over Gold and preceded the megahit Brothers In Arms. Mark Knopfler proves in his first live recording why he’s considered a guitarist’s guitarist. His solos are fiery yet fluid. His classical guitar playing on the intoxicating song “Private Investigations” almost defies description. His blues playing on the album opener, “Once Upon A Time In The West” immediately draws in the listener, and his straight ahead rock playing on the song “Solid Rock” makes you want to whip out your air guitar. Alchemy is for those who want to lay back and listen to a genius take you to musical heaven.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Live 1975 – 1985
The E Street Band has been called the ‘Best live band on the planet’ many times and nobody has said it more than Bruce Springsteen. The New Jersey natives leave their hearts out on the stage everytime they play and this album shows just that. If you ever want a crash course in Springsteen’s music, then this album is it. If you want to hear a band showcase their skills alongside a consummate songwriter and poet, then this is it. If you just want to hear good wholesome music, then this is it. Bruce and the band take you from the 70s hits like “Thunder Road” to “Hungry Heart”, before Bruce strips down the sound and gives you a dose of songs from the acoustic “Nebraska” album. Then he picks it up, with “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” and “Born to Run” among other hits. Beautiful, just beautiful!
